LA school district joins growing number of schools considering cellphone bans
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) leaders whose students are being distracted by their phones and social media during class time are looking to join a growing number of school districts that are banning cellphones and social media during instruction time. Leaders will vote on the resolution on Tuesday, June 17. Those who support the measure hope it will improve education and prevent online bullying.
If passed, the proposal only directs staff to come up with policies banning the use of social media and cellphones. Parents, students, staff, labor partners and experts would then give input on new policy. The school board would then have 120 days to approve the measure. If the board passes specific policies, they would take effect in January 2025.
Right now, ideas for ban enforcement range from adding cellphone lockers to blocking social media access on devices. Leaders are still debating penalties for students found using their phones.
Parents against the ban said that their kids need phone access to contact them during the day. Parents also said they already restrict their children from using their phones.
Some school leaders also opposed to the resolution argue that guidelines are already in place to prevent cellphone use in the classroom, they just need to be enforced.
One principal, who chose to remain anonymous, said that a ban is “overkill,” and that cellphone enforcement should be dealt with on a “case-by-case basis.” He added that it would also add an unnecessary workload to staff.
Other parents showed their support for the ban, but maintain that it needs to have real consequences, like actually taking away the phone.
Los Angeles education leaders said that social media and cellphones not only hurt academics but also increase anxiety, online abuse and physical violence. Students reportedly used phones to set up fights, film them and post the videos online. Advocates said that with limited access to phones during the day, this student violence could be reduced.
LA’s proposed move comes as a handful of states look to pass legislation that would ban the use of social media or cellphones in the classroom. Florida already blocked social media access and cell phone use during instruction while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, D, launched a plan to ban smartphones in schools.
Attorney General Merrick Garland held in contempt of Congress
The head of the Department of Justice, Attorney General Merrick Garland, held in contempt of Congress. And “life-threatening” flooding in south Florida as more torrential rain is expected Thursday. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, June 13, 2024.
Attorney General Merrick Garland held in contempt of Congress
In an effort led by Republicans, the U.S. House voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress Wednesday, June 12. Lawmakers also voted to refer the top Department of Justice official for criminal charges.
It comes after Garland refused to turn over audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interviews with former special counsel Robert Hur as part of the probe over his handling of classified documents.
The 216-207 vote fell along party lines, with only one Republican, Rep. David Joyce of Ohio, voting against it.
The vote marks a major escalation in a months-long dispute over the recordings — which started after President Biden asserted executive privilege over the files. The DOJ has stood by the decision not to release the recordings, saying they’ve already provided transcripts.
DOJ officials wrote in an affidavit the transcripts accurately match the audio “except for minor instances” — like leaving out filler words or when words were repeated when spoken.
House Republicans argue the recordings are crucial to their impeachment inquiry into the president, which has stalled.
“He is refusing to comply with a lawful subpoena,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said of AG Garland. “And that’s a problem under Article I. We have to defend the Constitution. We have to defend the authority of Congress. We can’t allow the Department of Justice, an executive branch agency, to hide information from Congress. We have important oversight responsibilities, and that is what is being pursued here.”
Attorney General Garland responded to the decision to hold him in contempt late Wednesday night saying, “It is deeply disappointing that this House of Representatives has turned a serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon. Today’s vote disregards the constitutional separation of powers, the Justice Department’s need to protect its investigations and the substantial amount of information we have provided to the committees.”
U.S. and Ukraine set to sign 10-year security pact at G7 summit
President Joe Biden is in Italy Thursday, June 13, for the G7 summit, where he is expected to sign a 10-year bilateral security pact with Ukraine. This agreement is said to better strengthen the long-term security relationship between the two nations, with commitments to continue training Ukrainian armed forces, enhance weapons production cooperation and increase intelligence sharing.
The G7 leaders are also set to endorse a plan to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans, using frozen Russian assets to fund the initiative.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan mentioned that while the major aspects of the plan have been agreed upon, some details will still need to be finalized.
Additionally, on Wednesday, June 12, the U.S. expanded its sanctions against Moscow to include Chinese companies that supply semiconductors. This move aims to pressure Beijing over its support for Russia and address issues of industrial overcapacity.
The summit will also address other critical global issues, including the Middle East, migration and artificial intelligence.
ACLU sues Biden administration over new asylum rule
The Biden administration is facing its first lawsuit over President Joe Biden’s recent order temporarily shutting down the U.S.’ southern border. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups, is the first big challenge to the executive order put in place just over a week ago.
The restrictions bar migrants from seeking asylum when border encounters rise above 2,500 per day.
In its first week implemented, the number of migrants crossing has fallen by 25%, according to Department of Homeland Security officials. However, the number of migrants coming over is still more than the number allowed — about 3,000 per day.
The executive action was meant to make illegal border crossers ineligible for asylum, but officials say thousands of migrants a day are still being released into the U.S. because of “limited options.”
The lawsuit did not seek an emergency injunction to block the new rule, so it will stay in place while the challenge plays out in court.
Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady Wednesday, June 12, potentially delaying any rate cuts until December. Fed Chair Jerome Powell, speaking after a two-day policy meeting, said the U.S. economy’s growth and unemployment rates are performing better than long-term sustainable levels, prompting the decision to maintain the current rate.
During a press conference, Powell said inflation has been decreasing without severely impacting the economy and he anticipates this trend could continue. The Fed plans a gradual return of inflation to its 2% target.
“We know that reducing policy restraint too soon or too much could result in a reversal of the progress that we’ve seen on inflation,” Powell said. “At the same time, reducing policy restraint too late or too little could unduly weaken economic activity and employment. In considering any adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook and the balance of risks.”
Powell said while some details of future rate cuts are still being finalized, the timing of these cuts will depend on a range of economic data, including labor market health and growth projections.
As the Fed’s latest interest rate announcement was made, Straight Arrow News’ own Simone Del Rosario and former Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig had live analysis of the future of monetary policy. You can watch that here.
‘Life-threatening’ flooding in south Florida
For the third day in a row, heavy rain is threatening more destructive flooding in south Florida Thursday, June 13. It comes after storms turned streets into rivers and water rushed into homes, Wednesday, June 12.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, declared an emergency for five counties after dangerous flooding immobilized the operations of critical infrastructure, including major interstates, roadways, schools, and the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports.
On Tuesday night, June 11, a record-breaking eight inches of rain hit Florida’s west coast in just three hours.
Flood watches are in effect through Friday night, June 14, across south Florida, which is the state’s most populous area, as more rounds of heavy rainfall are expected.
Meteorologists say many parts of the state are likely to see double-digit rainfall totals by the time the storms fully pass.
Russian warships conduct drills 100 miles off coast of Florida
Three Russian warships and a nuclear-powered submarine conducted drills Tuesday, June 11, in the Atlantic Ocean while en route to Cuba. The Russian defense ministry said the drills involved simulated attacks on distant mock targets.
The Russian fleet arrived in Cuba Wednesday, June 12, just 100 miles from Florida’s Key West. It’s set to move to Venezuela on Monday, June 17.
These exercises mark the first joint Russian naval and air maneuvers in the Caribbean since 2019.
Despite the proximity, Cuba has assured these visits are routine among allies and the vessels carry no nuclear weapons, posing no threat to the region.
The White House views these drills as Russia’s response to U.S. support for Ukraine but does not see them as a threat to U.S. national security.
All 50 governors oppose Biden proposal on authority over the National Guard
Fifty governors have signed letters in opposition to a Biden administration proposal that would change who has control over a state’s national guard. A new Pentagon proposal, supported by the White House, would partially change that.
It’s a governor’s job to handle the state’s National Guard, deploying members within their own state or to others in times of crisis.
The Pentagon’s proposal would give the Air Force secretary the sole authority to move Air National Guard members from any state to Space Force units in effort to build the service’s Space Force.
The secretary said the proposal impacts 13 space units — about 1,000 Air National Guard members.
A White House official said the Biden administration stands by the proposal for a one-time transfer of airmen to help expand the Space Force and expand space security.
However, the governors are calling the proposal an overreach.
“If adopted, the proposal would flout more than a century of precedent and undermine federal law protections for state control of their National Guard,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, wrote in an open letter to lawmakers.
“Instead of attempting such a power grab in Congress, the U.S. Department of the Air Force should work with the affected governors to build up the Space Force in a way that is consistent with federal law,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, wrote in an open letter to Biden.
“Legislation that sidesteps, eliminates or otherwise reduces Governors’ authority within their states and territories undermines longstanding partnerships, precedence, military readiness and operational efficacy,” a joint letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed by the other 48 governors reads.
The proposal is being reviewed by the Senate Armed Services Committee. There are no further reports on what committee members plan to do with it.
Florida ban on lab-grown meat comes after Bezos invests millions in industry
On Wednesday, May 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., signed a bill outlawing the manufacturing and distribution of lab-grown meat, making Florida the first state to ban it. Despite the product not being available in stores yet, other states are following suit.
“Take your fake lab-grown meat elsewhere,” DeSantis declared. “We’re not doing that in the state of Florida.”
Lab-grown meat is a meat alternative made from animal stem cells, cultivated in a laboratory environment to mimic the taste and texture of conventional meat. Despite its potential benefits — including reduced environmental impact — lab-grown meat faces skepticism.
Jeff Bezos recently relocated to Florida and invested millions of dollars in lab-grown meat development, echoing the sentiments of the World Economic Forum, which sees it as the future of food.
While some believe lab-grown meat could revolutionize the food industry, others — like DeSantis — argue it threatens traditional agriculture. Similar debates are brewing in other states like Alabama, Arizona and Tennessee, where bills banning lab-grown meat are under consideration.
In addition to critics, lab-grown meat still faces challenges, including its taste, safety and affordability. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has deemed it safe to eat, some critics remain unconvinced.
As for availability, lab-grown meat is not yet on supermarket shelves in the U.S., with production limited to select restaurants.
Thousands of migrants flew into US under new program. Where did they go?
Hundreds of thousands of migrants entered the U.S. under a Biden White House initiative that allows them to bypass the border and fly directly into the U.S. Of those migrants, 80% of them are landing in the Sunshine State.
The program is meant to serve as a safer pathway into the country, according to the Biden administration. However, critics of the program argue that it’s adding to the overwhelmed immigration system, and they question its legality.
The migrant is responsible for airfare expenses but once in the U.S., they can apply for work. After two years, there are a number of options that would allow them to remain in the U.S.
The program has been around since January of last year, and more than 400,000 migrants have taken advantage of it.
The Homeland Security House Committee wanted to know where these migrants are flying into and subpoenaed the Department of Homeland Security for the data.
The committee was provided with numbers from January to August of 2023, showing U.S. destinations for 200,000 of the migrants.
The other 200,000 migrants who utilized the program in the following months are not included in this data set.
Eighty percent of the migrants flew to Florida. Miami had more than 90,000 migrants fly into the city. Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa saw 161,562 migrants travel through their airports. New York saw 14,827, Houston had 7,923, and Los Angeles had 3,271 migrants fly into their cities.
“It’s a secret in the sense, yes, we know the program is going on, we’re suing, we think it’s illegal, but, they’re not coordinating with state government at all,” DeSantis said. “If they throw six people on a commercial flight, there’s no acknowledgement at all to state or local authorities. That’s a fact.”
According to DHS, the migrants flying over are considered “inadmissible,” meaning they are “not permitted by law to enter the U.S.”
“What they’re essentially saying is that the laws passed by Congress have said that these people are inadmissible, and so they created a program to try to get around those laws,” Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said. “The thing is, they don’t have the authority to create such a program. By their own admission, they’re breaking the law.”
The White House released a statement in response.
“This is a lawful process that cuts out smugglers seeking to take advantage of vulnerable individuals considering migrating and that has successfully decreased irregular migration from these countries. To say this process is “secret” is laughably false.”
This program initiative by the Biden White House is capped to 30,000 migrants a month. There are already millions of migrants on a waiting list who have applied.
A new Gallup poll released on Tuesday, April 30, shows immigration is still the No. 1 issue for American voters.
Some voters believe programs like the CHNV program can be a solution and give some slack to a strained immigration system by allowing certain migrants who qualify to bypass it. Other voters believe it’s incentivizing more immigration when cities are already overwhelmed.
Florida’s 6-week abortion ban starts this week, residents seek alternatives
Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect Wednesday, May 1, after the state’s Supreme Court upheld the law earlier in April. The state currently has a 15-week ban in place.
The new law, which Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in April 2023, offers exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.
Candace Dye, the owner of A Woman’s World Medical Center, an abortion clinic in Florida, said that her and her team have been busy turning people away from their services.
“And a lot of people don’t even know this is going on,” Dye said. “We told patients over and over again yesterday — or potential patients yesterday — they had no idea. So then they scramble, ‘Can you get me in this weekend? Can you get me in this weekend? Can you get me in this weekend?’”
Thousands of women may now have to travel to other states to seek an abortion because most are not aware they are pregnant 6 weeks into a pregnancy.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 11 southern states have either completely banned or imposed strict limits on the procedure.
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky have all banned abortion. Georgia and South Carolina both have a 6-week limit in place, while North Carolina implemented a 12-week limit.
According to data obtained by the Guttmacher Institute, on average, there were just over 7,000 abortions performed each month in Florida in 2023. In that same year, 9,300 women also traveled to Florida to seek an abortion.
“We don’t want to be an abortion tourism destination,” Gov. DeSantis said last year.
Floridians will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot measure to decide if they want to keep the 6-week ban in place this November. They will also have the chance to decide whether to amend the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights.
Trump holds private meeting with former GOP rival DeSantis
Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, met privately for breakfast in Miami on Sunday, April 29, to discuss raising funds for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. The meeting, first reported by The Washington Post, was reportedly arranged by real estate chairman Steven Witkoff.
The talks between the presumptive Republican nominee and his one-time rival lasted several hours and were described as “friendly.”
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
This encounter comes just weeks after NBC News reported DeSantis pledged to donors during a private event that he’ll assist in fundraising efforts for Trump’s campaign.
Recently, DeSantis hosted a donor event in Florida, signaling potential interest in a 2028 presidential run. Although previously targeted by former President Trump during the primaries, Trump now welcomes DeSantis’s fundraising efforts as he shifts focus to President Biden and his ongoing criminal trial.
Several dead after tornadoes sweep through Midwest
Several people, including an infant, are dead after tornadoes sweep through the Midwest. Also, demonstrations by dueling groups turn physical on the campus of UCLA. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, April 29, 2024.
Several dead after tornadoes sweep through Midwest
At least four people, including a young child, are dead after tornadoes swept through Oklahoma on Sunday, April 28 — part of a series of severe weather events affecting several Midwestern states.
On Friday, April 26, a tornado damaged dozens of homes and buildings in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, but no fatalities were reported. Local health officials described the lack of serious injuries as “miraculous.”
Over the weekend, more than 100 tornadoes were reported across six states, including Iowa, where one person critically injured by the storms later died. Less than 36 hours later, EF-3 tornadoes struck Oklahoma, leaving over 20,000 people without power and causing significant damage statewide.
One person died when four semi-trucks overturned on Interstate 35 in Marietta. Another victim was identified as a 4-month-old child. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, R, has declared a disaster emergency in response to the extensive damage.
Dueling protests get into physical altercations on UCLA campus
School officials reported that the protests had remained peaceful until a barrier separating the groups was breached, leading to shoving and punching among members of both groups. Campus police armed with batons managed to separate the demonstrators.
The UCLA vice chancellor expressed heartbreak over the violence on campus. The university said it had allowed both groups to protest, some participants were from outside the university.
Blinken visits Saudi Arabia to discuss war in Gaza
On the morning of Monday, April 29, the State Department reported that Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister to discuss ongoing efforts to release hostages held by Hamas and to explore “a pathway to a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.”
Later Monday, Blinken is scheduled to discuss Europe’s role in rebuilding the Gaza Strip with Arab and European leaders. His visit follows President Joe Biden’s phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, April 28, about a potential cease-fire and a warning against an Israeli attack on Gaza City’s Rafah.
Trump holds private meeting with former GOP rival DeSantis
Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, R, met privately for breakfast in Miami on Sunday, April 29, to discuss raising funds for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The meeting, first reported by The Washington Post, was reportedly arranged by real estate chairman Steven Witkoff.
The talks between the presumptive Republican nominee and his one-time rival lasted several hours and were described as “friendly.”
This encounter comes just weeks after NBC News reported DeSantis pledged to donors during a private event that he’ll assist in fundraising efforts for Trump’s campaign.
DeSantis suspended his presidential campaign in January, just days before the New Hampshire primary, and announced he was backing Trump.
Musk visits Beijing as Tesla’s China-made cars clear data security hurdles
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unexpectedly visited Beijing, coinciding with the city’s first major auto show in four years. During his visit, Musk met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This meeting follows Tesla’s announcement that local Chinese authorities have lifted restrictions on its cars after they passed China’s data security standards.
The MLB Players Association stated that the league will modify the Nike uniforms following player complaints about this season’s changes, which included issues with jersey lettering size, mismatched colors and see-through pants.
The uniforms, designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics, will be updated by the beginning of the 2025 season, as the memo highlighted the issues as “entirely a Nike issue.”
How Martha’s Vineyard migrants secured special visas intended for victims of crime
In 2022, 49 migrants were flown to Martha’s Vineyard from San Antonio, Texas, with the assistance of Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla. On Tuesday, April 23, immigration attorney Rachel Self said a few migrants have reportedly qualified for “criminal victims visas” after claiming to be victims of a potential crime.
Self said three of the migrants have been granted “bona fide determinations” for their U Visa applications. However, Self said that she expects more to be granted.
The U Visa process, which is intended for victims of qualifying crimes, has become an unexpected lifeline for immigrants at Martha’s Vineyard. The process allows eligible individuals to work while awaiting a final decision on their petition.
The latest development comes following an investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. The department contends that the migrants were victims of a crime and assisted in a law enforcement investigation.
However, DeSantis claimed that the migrants boarded the planes voluntarily and legally in 2022. Despite the Florida governor’s claims, Sheriff Javier Salazar has opened a criminal investigation, alleging that the migrants were lured onto the flights under false pretenses.
U Visas are used for victims of a wide range of crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and exploitation. The visas are specifically designed for people that have suffered mental or physical abuse and cooperated with authorities in the investigation.
Even with the allegations, DeSantis has hinted at the possibility of flying more migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
Judge OKs suit against company that flew migrants to Martha’s Vineyard
A federal judge in Boston ruled Monday, April 1, that migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis nearly two years ago can proceed with a lawsuit against the charter company responsible for their transportation to the Massachusetts island. The lawsuit, brought by three Venezuelan migrants and an immigrant rights group, accuses DeSantis’ administration and Vertol Systems Co. of deceiving them with false promises of employment and housing, thereby infringing upon their civil rights.
The judge’s decision permits the lawsuit against Vertol to move forward, criticizing the operation for exploiting vulnerable individuals for a political debate without valid justification.
Named in the lawsuit are DeSantis, various high-ranking Florida officials, and a Florida woman alleged to have recruited the Venezuelan migrants. However, the Massachusetts District Court noted it does not have jurisdiction over these individuals.
Lawyers for Civil Rights, representing the migrants, hailed the 77-page decision as a major win.
“The favorable ruling is a major victory in the Martha’s Vineyard case, and it sends a crucial message: private companies can — and will — be held accountable for helping rogue state actors violate the rights of vulnerable immigrants through illegal and fraudulent schemes,” said…
— Lawyers for Civil Rights (@LCRBOSTON) April 1, 2024
Julia Friedland, deputy press secretary for DeSantis, remarked that the relocation flights were conducted within legal bounds and expressed anticipation for future immigrant relocation efforts.
